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Legacy In the News: Legacy Emanuel Acknowledges Past, Looks Forward to the Future

The Oregonian

Legacy Emanuel Medical Center is currently celebrating 100 years of service to Portland and the region. The hospital has always had a special relationship with the surrounding community. Despite this bond, there were times when the hospital’s actions created local controversy.

The most significant example of this is the 1960s-1970s urban renewal process implemented by the Portland Development Commission to provide land for the expansion of the hospital's campus. The relocation project displaced hundreds of residents and many businesses from the area surrounding the hospital. This period remains a blemish on Emanuel's relationship with the black community, even forty years later.

On Friday, September 21, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center leadership shared information about the Emanuel Reconciliation Project with more than 30 local community leaders. A small team worked on the project for the past year in order to better understand and memorialize the complete history of the Eliot neighborhood.

As Legacy Emanuel starts its next century of service, it is leadership’s desire to build a stronger, healthier and more collaborative alliance moving forward. On Saturday, October 6, Dr. Lori Morgan, CAO unveiled a new permanent display in Legacy Emanuel’s atrium. The panels cover a glimpse into the history of the Eliot neighborhood from the 1880s to the present day.

Click here to read The Oregonian’s full story about the breakfast and discussion.